Jrope

Here I am again in disbelief that the post I started some 7 years ago is still going. My first comment is that I worked for the Post Office for 35 years and while there might have been a few employees that took a quick look through some magazines, it was strictly forbidden by management. You were in for some serious grief if you were caught. I guess this was one of the reasons that Playboy and Penthouse were mailed in sealed plastic bags (LOL). Lastly, the Dec. issue of Hemmings has a (gasp!) STREET ROD on the cover. Seriously? What is this world coming to?

I can't believe that a thread that I started in 2010 is still getting replies !! I still stand on my remarks. My favorite automotive publications remain the AACA magazine, Hemmings Classic Car, and the V8 times from the early Ford V8 club. One thing that gave me hope for us old "purists" (read geezer) happened last month. An old buddy, called to ask if I would help him transport a recent purchase, a 1960 Rambler American, from the point of sale in West Virginia to our home in Northwestern Pa. As we traveled down I79 with an empty trailer, I told Bob that he was going to have a lot of fun with this old Rambler. Bob owns an older Corvette and, while he enjoys the performance and muscle, I pointed out that he will benefit from the memories that he will evoke from people that he encounters when he drives that old piece of American history. I told him that no matter what kind of lousy mood that I am in, once I drive one of my old cars on a nice sunny day, the smiles and waves that I get from total strangers changes my attitude but quick. Sure enough, once we got that old American loaded on the trailer and headed North, people passing us on the interstate were smiling and giving us the "thumbs up" sign. I could tell by the smile on Bob's face that he knew that he made a good purchase.

These shows are more about money than they are about cars.

Those shows are not about cars, they are about money.

My son has been living in Cleveland and is now in a doctorate program at Case-Western. Living in Erie Pa, I would run up to Cleveland a couple of hours early when I would bring him home for holidays. I also attended one of their "Monday Night Out" affairs when I was a young member of the Presque Isle Region. I can recall one time in particular when I was introduced to the memorable Henry Austin Clark. Fabulous place !!!

Where would the body to frame/engine braided ground strap be located on my 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aero? I know that there should be one, but I cannot locate it. These six-volt electrical systems need all the help they can get !!!

I had forgotten that it was a Crown Vic. You are right. Attached is a pic of my '56 Wagon.

I was saddened to hear of the death of Bob Stevens. As a longtime subscriber of Cars and Parts magazine, I enjoyed his writing very much. He and I owned similar Lincoln Zephyrs around the same time and we also had 1956 Fords, his, a Fairlane Hardtop, mine a six passenger Country Sedan. He told the story of how the “Fiesta” red color of that year was actually based on the color of cosmetics sold by a major manufacturer, a early marketing tactic aimed directly at the female car buyer. Although I never met him, I felt that I knew him personally because our taste in cars was similar. I am sure that he will be missed. -John Ropelewski, Erie, Pa

Has anyone ever had a "celebrity sighting" at Hershey over the years?

Can I adopt you ?

I have a very original 1965 Pontiac Catalina Convertible. The power top goes down okay but raises up rather slowly. I suspect the hydraulic fluid level is low but I cannot find any reference to the system in my shop manual. I got this car from a dear friend who bought it new. He tells me that he cannot remember the system ever being serviced. Before I tear into it, can anyone tell me where the cylinder is located? Where is the fill point and what is the procedure? Also, what kind of fluid do I use? Thanks in advance for your help.

One of my pals asked "What did your wife say when you came home with your last car?". I replied " She didn't say a word- For two weeks!".

The way I see it, you can always get another wife, but those old Chryslers are getting tough to find !!!

Actually, here are the clunkers that I fool around with. Owning these automobiles has enabled me to make life-long frienships that I have enjoyed for many years. I have been a member of AACA since 1974 and it has been one of the best things that I have ever done.

My 1956 Ford Six Passenger Country Sedan.

The nuns at our church bought a brand new 1961 Plymouth station wagon with S&H green stamps donated by the parishoners. I can't remember exactly how many books it took, but it was a lot! A deal was made with the redemption center before the promotion, and the center even agreed to accept plaid stamps and PC's which were premium certificates then offered by a local grocery store chain. I was 13 years old at the time and I can still remember that Blue wagon full of nuns.

I am addicted as well. My wife wants to have me admitted to the Henry Ford Clinic.

I first met Dave when I joined the Presque Isle Region many years ago. He was one of the nicest guys that I ever met. He made me feel very welcome and this started a long association with some great people in a great hobby. I once found him and his wife and son stranded on the Interstate 90 when his Chrysler roadster broke down after our club's annual car show in Waterford, Pa. I brought them to my house where we changed cars so that I could drive them home to Conneaut Oh. Dave never forgot what I didn't think was such a big deal. He was a great man with a great family. May he rest in peace. John Ropelewski, Erie Pa

You might want to look that one up. I believe that Henry Ford died in 1947(the year I was born). John R.

What a great film! My dad was stationed in the islands during WW2- I wouldn't be suprised if he was in it somewhere as you could always find him where there was booze-Ha Ha!!!

Many of the parishioners of our local Catholic church donated enough green stamps to buy the nuns a brand new 1961 Plymouth station wagon.

The cars that I loved were a '59 Pontiac Bonneville convert and a '56 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan. It's funny how some guys will talk about cars that they sold and wished that they had back. However, the one car that I was glad that I sold and never want to see again was a 1972 Fiat 850 Spyder. This car had a "no start when cold" gremlin that no one in the tri-state area could figure out. It was like Christine. One time, it actually tried to kill me. One winter night, after I finally got it running, I got stuck in the snow in the driveway. I figured that if I pulled the choke out a little to raise the idle speed, I could wrestle the car back onto a dry surface and jump in behind the wheel. Bad Move! The car hit dry pavement in reverse and chased me down the street. I ran up a snowpile and the car stalled out. In all fairness I have to admit that there may have been just a tiny bit of alcohol involved. For some reason, the police were always interested in that car. Maybe it was because it looked fast even when parked. I traded it on a Datsun (Nissan) pickup.

I was talking about the St. Vincent hospital in Erie Pa. I understand that Saint Vincent was the patron saint of physicians or healers, so there were a lot of Catholic hospitals in a lot of different cities that were named in honor of him.

I was born on July 28th, 1947. I came home from St. Vincent Hospital in Dad's 1938 Studebaker Commander. I can remember wanting to drive (LOL!)

I saw one advertised on E-bay recently as a "Four Door Coupe". Man! You don't hardly see those anymore!